[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6382130,"mediaKeyId","2127567-cc5d39c91be20138c04b1f01bf9e094d","parentId",2127567,"title","Local planning agency backs rezoning for proposed hotel at 255 SW 6th St.; neighbors press for meetings on design","audioSeconds",1914,"startMs",614000,"endMs",2528000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127567-cc5d39c91be20138c04b1f01bf9e094d&start=614&end=2528","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127567-cc5d39c91be20138c04b1f01bf9e094d/thumbnail_614000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6382130/Florida/Local-planning-agency-backs-rezoning-for-proposed-hotel-at-255-SW-6th-St-neighbors-press-for-meetings-on-design","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382130-3933181cca6d41a05f3bbee60cfbe5c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153162&Signature=f-pmjwNWx95ATbUkG~P3RUXpS9T9hZSDc7gCVreQSOfkN6ph-rWvy7hWNVmIqUAWpJmzKTEtssWDIki0bqggcEyVhV~ajBKt~0~ACwWneaDLMEoxt1aP2uwSFes3eVJCmgHywAzEKiJvqYUVTS7NFDi1MaNvUvKPyONTeWKxYE56TJnd0u~9DlYgHNbKdDZVgWd~XxoZ3o3VEII0Ei5GAzk3iLiW9lMH86Sd2Jj9XZzSRkTblfT5yZxPmiwgpJtlDlFC1QuHQGilXKWkG6pKPXJwGK9bbHQ0ITYSlVaZfpTISmjJbTJEj8s0nJbhJEVkqeSi05bjKYTnRndcQ1PNSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Stuart, FL","date","2025-01-18T01:03:59.29Z","article","The City of Stuart Local Planning Agency recommended approval of a rezoning that would change a 0.33-acre parcel at 255 Southwest 6th Street from Urban Waterfront to Urban Highway, clearing the way for a proposed Fairfield Inn-style hotel. The board voted unanimously to approve the rezoning after public comment and discussion about design, stormwater and neighbor outreach.

The development director for the city, Jody Kugler, presented the staff report saying the petition \"conforms to the criteria outlined in section 11.01.09 of the Stuart Land Development Code, Florida Statutes, and is consistent with the goals, objectives, and the policies of the City of Stuart comprehensive plan.\" Kugler told the board the property sits in the downtown redevelopment future land use district and that staff recommended forwarding approval to the City Commission.

Jared Gaylord, who represented developer Polk Street Hotels Inc., described the site as a merging of three lots, noting a zoning discrepancy that left a small southeastern sliver of the combined parcel zoned Urban Waterfront. Gaylord said his client bought the properties in April 2023 and is seeking a consistent Urban Highway designation to simplify redevelopment; he told the board the eastern sliver \"is actually currently vacant\" and that the rezoning would allow consistent development standards across the unified parcel.

Neighbors urged caution. Julie Siegel, who lives across the creek, told the board the creek runs directly behind about 15 houses and raised concerns about \"lighting, in terms of where the dumpsters will go, the sound.\" She said, \"that creek is very tiny and it is literally in our backyard.\" Terry Johnson, who owns units across Fraser Creek, said he was worried a four‑story building would be inconsistent with nearby buildings and asked the board to consider the visual impact on residents.

City staff and the applicant described mitigation measures for lighting, landscaping and stormwater. Kugler said the city requires photometrics and screening so lighting does not exceed 0 at the property line, and that landscaping along the Fraser Creek frontage would be required to block views of the structure and minimize visibility of the parking area from homes across the creek. She said the applicant was expected to address stormwater on site and that some flooding concerns along Channel Avenue would be addressed by the project's stormwater design.

Board members also discussed how site plans will be reviewed. Kugler explained that under the Land Development Code a minor site plan under 50,000 square feet can be approved administratively by staff; she said the proposed hotel footprint is \"right around 49,000\" square feet, which would make it eligible for administrative approval if it conforms to code standards. She and the applicant confirmed that a developer could request deviations, in which case the project would return to the boards.

The applicant offered to meet with neighbors. Gaylord said he was \"happy to discuss with some of the neighbors to see what their concerns are and if there's some reasonable way that we can address those.\" Board members requested — as a recommendation, not a condition of rezoning — that the developer hold a neighborhood meeting to present designs and listen to resident concerns before administrative review proceeds.

Board member Strom made the motion to approve the rezoning recommendation to the City Commission; board member Bowles seconded. In roll call the board voted unanimously: Bowles — yes; Peterson — yes; Vogel — yes; Strom — yes; Loreen (chair) — yes; Bromfield — yes.

The Local Planning Agency forwarded the rezoning recommendation to the City Commission; because this action was limited to rezoning, the site plan (and any potential deviations from the code) will be considered in later reviews. Neighbors were advised to contact city staff to request copies of any forthcoming site plan submittals or to schedule the neighborhood meeting the applicant offered.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","1/16/2025 Local Planning Agency (LPA)","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Stuart Local Planning Agency recommended approval of a rezoning that would change a 0.33-acre parcel at 255 Southwest 6th Street from Urban Waterfront to Urban Highway, clearing the way for a proposed Fairfield Inn-style hotel.","taxTitle","City of Stuart, Martin County, Florida","taxId",71255,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6382114,"City clerk and attorney brief advisory board on public records and Sunshine Law, caution on social media",755,2765000,3520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127567-cc5d39c91be20138c04b1f01bf9e094d&start=2765&end=3520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127567-cc5d39c91be20138c04b1f01bf9e094d/thumbnail_2765000.jpg","/articles/6382114/Florida/City-clerk-and-attorney-brief-advisory-board-on-public-records-and-Sunshine-Law-caution-on-social-media","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382114-8db849625568392a694a4a9574539b5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153162&Signature=krLSWkZ7QPsKS2Rg9DxVwVABxlwdjxBOZUPY0VRJW7CSQyOewHHBDAZsdPLUI9ivgRN6sIi5Oi6cKrtv6kMQtR9t-5iBa0CRHyqEKCfj1sQdFgZ7qhED-ekU0hNdiLWFNo56VhD~0ljsEXzc~IY9iZyVfdBsw80SqRbbtA7Zv-HqpubeoC1MRVSxzle2V1vNdfc-wdNDs2mLkg~NiCd-4gFr73cUcdo-DmOEifgW2FvUo6xRluW4FW~GJU8VYe7uMnY1M42zQrOf7YKIbAjiiOkKhyEe58zAym5mDYyXxycEIwNuEVTf8SJNV1HFRciwupE121s2yr02qWKfWCVlsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Clerk Mary (last name not specified) and City Attorney Lee Baggett gave an advisory‑board orientation and public‑records presentation outlining legal obligations for Local Planning Agency members under Florida’s Sunshine Law and public records statutes.

Mary, the City Clerk, told members that the public records law applies to elected and appointed board members and that \"the content is what we're looking for\" — meaning records created or received in connection with city business are public regardless of where they are stored. She said the city issues a city‑assigned email address to board members and recommended forwarding any personal emails about city business to that address so staff can collect records when a public‑records request is made.

Lee Baggett and Mary cautioned about social media and texting. Baggett summarized a recent federal case involving an elected official’s personal social‑media page and explained courts weigh whether an official uses a personal account to carry out official duties; if so, posts may become public records. Baggett said the courts look at whether the account is used \"in furtherance of their official duties and whether the presentation of the account is connected with the official's position.\" He warned that deleting comments or removing content could expose officials and the city to litigation and possible attorney's‑fee awards.

Clerk Mary walked the board through practical steps: preserve records on personal devices when they relate to city business, forward city‑related emails to the city email account, and submit screenshots of texts or social posts when requested. She explained that after a board member’s term ends the city will ask for any remaining records and that members must file financial disclosures with the state Commission on Ethics each year (due July 1).

Both presenters urged members to contact the clerk’s office or city attorney with questions and stressed the city will handle public‑record requests. The training emphasized disclosure of any ex parte communications in quasi‑judicial proceedings; as Baggett reminded the board, members must disclose private conversations about an application before deliberating.

The presentation closed with a reminder that failing to preserve or produce public records can carry civil and criminal penalties, attorney's‑fee exposure, and other sanctions; both the clerk and the attorney encouraged members to err on the side of preservation and to reach out with questions.","The City of Stuart clerk and city attorney gave an orientation to the Local Planning Agency on public records obligations and the Sunshine Law, emphasizing that board members' emails, texts and social media interactions about city business can be public records and urging use of city-assigned email for official correspondence.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6382121,"City staff asks LPA to postpone zoning-in-progress text amendments to Feb. 6; board agrees",95,2611000,2706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127567-cc5d39c91be20138c04b1f01bf9e094d&start=2611&end=2706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127567-cc5d39c91be20138c04b1f01bf9e094d/thumbnail_2611000.jpg","/articles/6382121/Florida/City-staff-asks-LPA-to-postpone-zoning-in-progress-text-amendments-to-Feb-6-board-agrees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382121-5ed342a21d35ec847b3187ab05c38967/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153162&Signature=kDc34dPHvPH-H~UoFDAvDJ0YpAjpNBed0amD9lYP9O8ygImXHeHXuzhD6lV4tcPiK4Thcu~c~Oi-YK-BFWaB9S97sj5bo7T0KeA2xKw7HNkbIWwJRta5bsZinMsL0wDVijFUh9zjX-1SlpkZAZ96PQltXX92tXEgG2BYSPD9bIWi4rERSHkvPwpomDRc4sl7oXfM1glIPrQLhmbBwiqwradCJC71dy2ImAAYXmWWRpZbdYaXZQM8QOjMxSzUHEp3ON~fQqzyfg5kPeaWCkRPVnIaprXNj4fwssRnup3B5GABj4F99O7KWc37fIeuY-G67Vdc425tlKABGXCxpkosqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff asked the Local Planning Agency to postpone a suite of Land Development Code text amendments, described on the agenda as \"Zoning in Progress,\" to a date‑certain meeting on Feb. 6 so board members would have time to review redline/strike‑through drafts before the hearing.

The package, listed as Ordinance 2539‑2025, would amend multiple chapters of the Land Development Code (zoning district uses, special zoning codes, resource protection and site development standards). Staff said it would provide a strike‑through and underlined ordinance showing additions and deletions ahead of the next meeting. The board voted to continue the item to Feb. 6 and asked staff to circulate the marked‑up ordinance with the meeting agenda so members could review the proposed changes in detail.

No substantive policy action occurred; the postponement is intended to give members time to prepare for deliberation at the February meeting.","Staff requested and the Local Planning Agency approved a postponement of comprehensive Land Development Code text amendments — the zoning-in-progress item — to a date‐certain Feb. 6 meeting so members can review strike-through/underlined drafts in advance.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6382125,"Local planning agency continues two related land-use items to March 13",146,395000,541000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127567-cc5d39c91be20138c04b1f01bf9e094d&start=395&end=541","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127567-cc5d39c91be20138c04b1f01bf9e094d/thumbnail_395000.jpg","/articles/6382125/Florida/Local-planning-agency-continues-two-related-land-use-items-to-March-13","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382125-f45afd1fa821bd95f7c9235b23997f53/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153162&Signature=PhceEwvQfDj6G3oUlBCLWxWmfQn9x3qAAFQp9ErehJ2aQHRoxbGFI3Y1TvqL7QPEQvpFVdr51lQk1~rYtX3a8WwPc5xE49skBRa-Tf1qpJDZTFuPar2EuaRg33OUyOo42kqpNcK~OVv5gNJ3x3xAQsRMY1-8M9Iin0P0tgDnFjZhRnt5X0qzW47tuTJ1wmcxv7seY4MFvyGPs8DhFz7JusqnQVmf2i8FuA4SkfKxqyixfx0caDorKZN~N2ZB6k-HDj8t6MmeVmUOeARqIOSnfikbAxDcw2uk9r~DOD2iB72Au~PWj2dM5nYogIC78gOB5OBOA53S4L4w5XHuxKlHrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Local Planning Agency agreed to continue two related land-use items to the LPA meeting on March 13 after the applicant requested more time and staff supported the continuance.

Staff read the first item as a small-scale comprehensive plan future land use map amendment (ordinance 2535-2025) that would amend the future land use for an approximately 22.76-acre parcel from commercial to Neighborhood Special District. Michael Houston of HJA Design Studio appeared as the applicant representative and requested the continuance; he told the board the applicant could not make the earlier meeting and asked that the matter be heard on March 13. Staff indicated agreement with the postponement and the board voted to continue the item.

The second related item was described as a major amendment to the Mars Stewart Commercial Planned Unit Development (ordinance 2536-2025) to incorporate the same 22.76-acre parcel into the larger CPUD for a total of about 35.07 acres. Houston said the two items are connected and requested the same March 13 continuance; the board granted the request on a voice vote.

Because both items were continued at the applicant's request and with staff concurrence, the Local Planning Agency took no final action on the merits of either ordinance and asked that the applicant provide required notices and materials ahead of the March hearing.","Two related agenda items — a small-scale future land use map amendment and a major amendment to the Mar Stewart Commercial Planned Unit Development — were continued to the LPA meeting on March 13 at the applicant's request.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Local planning agency backs rezoning for proposed hotel at 255 SW 6th St.; neighbors press for meetings on design

City clerk and attorney brief advisory board on public records and Sunshine Law, caution on social media

City staff asks LPA to postpone zoning-in-progress text amendments to Feb. 6; board agrees

Local planning agency continues two related land-use items to March 13